Working in the Spirit May 19th, 2024
Holy Spirit, move in us and among us as we listen to the Scriptures read and interpreted. Open our minds and hearts to receive the Living Word so that we may be transformed to live as your Easter people. Amen.
Today is Pentecost Sunday, which marks the time when the Advocate promised by Jesus before he returned to heaven, came to help the disciples in God’s work. Let’s look closely at how that helper, God’s Spirit, guided them, and continues to guide us today.
A few weeks ago, we looked at an important part of God’s plan for us in the world, which was the work that he wishes us to do. While we were created to worship and glorify him, we are also to support and encourage one another in the faith. We’re to be in companionship with one another and take care of the world in which we live in, the one which he created.
And we’re not alone as we try to do this, God has given us a helper to guide and support us as we do this work. On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus made this promise to his disciples, “’And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.’” (John 14:16-17)
This advocate, or helper, is the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and is there to help us as we do our work. It is through the Holy Spirit that the Body of Christ is built up. The Spirit gives gifts to each one of us, gifts that we use in mission and service, to one another and to the community. The Holy Spirit equips the Church for ministry.
But before we talk any more about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives let’s have a better understanding of just who the Holy Spirit is. Living Faith, a booklet published by the Presbyterian Church, describes the Holy Spirit in these words, “The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the triune God and is One with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life, the Renewer and Helper of God’s people. By the Spirit, God is present in the world, the source of all goodness and justice.” Thus, the Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and Jesus the Son. He is part of the Trinity, Three in One and One in Three. The Holy Spirit, often described as a gentle dove or a mighty wind, is the very presence of God within us, guiding our actions, comforting us in times of need, and empowering us to perform works that go beyond our natural abilities. The Holy Spirit is the power within us that helps us live our faith as God’s people.
And this is what the Holy Spirit does in our lives, “The Spirit enables people to receive the good news of Christ, to repent of their sins, and to be adopted as children of God. The Spirit blesses us with various gifts. We seek to discover those gifts and to use them for our Lord. Faithful loving service is a sign that the Spirit is present. The presence of the Spirit is evident where people are made whole, encouraged, and enabled to grow in Christ.” From this we come to understand that by the Spirit, Christ gives gifts to each of us to build up the Body of the Church. We show love toward God, and love toward one another as we work to support Christ’s Church and bring others closer to God.
And the same Spirit that gives gifts to build up the church, also gives gifts and skills for the building up of our communities. When God commanded Moses to build a tabernacle to house the tablets of the Ten Commandments he gave certain men the skills of artistic design, stone cutting, woodwork, and every kind of craft, in order to do the work. This is from the Old Testament book of Exodus, “The Lord spoke to Moses: See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with divine spirit, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft. Moreover, I have appointed with him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have given skill to all the skilful, so that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the covenant, and the mercy-seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent.” (Exodus 31:1-7) And these workers did not develop these skills just for religious purposes. The work of the Spirit is not only for the building up of the church but also for supporting the community. The Holy Spirit gives us power to accomplish God’s plans in the church and in the world.
The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in the lives of believers, helping them in various aspects of their lives, including their work. The Spirit is often described as a helper, teacher, and guide who provides wisdom, strength, and direction. For instance, the Holy Spirit is said to impart spiritual gifts that can increase a person’s ability to perform their duties in the world.
To work in the Holy Spirit means to be focused on the guidance of the Spirit which leads us towards acts of love and service. It’s to be open to the transformative power of the Spirit that can make our work not just a job, but a calling, filled with purpose and meaning. It’s to approach each task, no matter how ordinary, with a sense of sacredness, knowing that in everything we do, we can reflect the glory of God.
Additionally, the Holy Spirit is said to produce fruit in the lives of believers, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. The Apostle Paul tells us, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) The Holy Spirit is there to offer comfort and support during challenging times and when we face stress or difficulties. This guiding presence gives us the peace and faithfulness that we need to work through these tough times.
These gifts are given to us according to the will of God. In the Bible, the book of Hebrews states, “God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:4) The Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of Christ himself, builds up individuals and the church, equipping and empowering, so that others may live in his grace and glory.
So, what we know is that the Spirit is equipping us to love and serve each other in the church. The Spirit is equipping each one to contribute to the common good. Our skills and talents have been given to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. And all of these are in the service of Christ and his love for the world and us in it. God has equipped us all with the gifts we need, in our faith we learn and work towards using them for his purpose.
Paul tells us that every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift that is to be used to build up the body of Christ: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) We are called on to discover the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us and then use them for God’s glory and the growth of His church.
In conclusion, Christians should not be afraid of the Holy Spirit but rather look to the Spirit for guidance and spiritual strength. The Holy Spirit is alive and active today in the lives of believers. As Christians, we are to be eternally grateful that the Holy Spirit is our permanent indwelling companion, gifting us to serve others and empowering us to live the Christian life. He is to be respected, followed, and appreciated as we strive to live our lives according to God’s plan.
So today on this Pentecost Sunday, let us seek to be vessels of the Holy Spirit in our workplaces, in our homes, and in our communities. Let us pray for the guidance, wisdom, and strength to carry out our work with integrity and purpose. And let us remember that when we work in the Holy Spirit, we are never alone, for God is with us, working in us and through us, for the good of the world and the glory of his name.
Let’s close with one of the ancient prayers of the Christian Church which is a prayer that our hearts be opened to the work of the Spirit and that we may continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour each and every day.
Let us Pray:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Amen